2010 Salt Lake City Half Marathon

Oh my goodness! Its 2 days later and my legs still hurt! It was such a good experience though. I originally wanted to run the full marathon, but due to my work schedule I wasnt able to train like I wanted to and only felt somewhat prepared to maybe run the half. Most days I was running 2-3 miles at the gym before work. I had a 6 mile run one day, but up until Sunday the 11th that was the farthest I'd run. On the 11th I had a course mapped out in Abilene that I approximated was about 10 miles. The week leading up to that I had been sick with a head cold and some upper respiratory stuff, but I knew I had to get a good run in.

That Sunday came, I woke up early and took off. My lungs felt like they were on fire, but I just had to keep moving. I made it those 10 miles, in 2 and a half hours. I walked a good portion of it. After that I only ran a couple more days before I would run 13 miles in SLC. Needless to say, I was a little concerned!

I chose to run in SLC because thats where my family is and I knew it would mean a lot to my parents to be able to support me in something like that. I brought my good friend Kristen with my from Abilene to watch me run too. I was so nervous as I was headed up to the start line, knowing full well that I could barely make it 10 miles just a week ago. Now, I was about to embark on a 13 mile jaunt.

As I began the run, I just kept thinking "I wont stop until at least the 5th mile!" It was super motivating seeing all those other runners. I just started running and waited and waited to see the first mile marker. It didnt show up until mile 3, and when I saw that I was super excited because I was feeling great. There was another mile marker at 4, but then another didnt show up until 6. And at 6 I was still running. I hadnt stopped and I was feeling really good knowing that I was about halfway and still hadnt stopped.

It wasnt until the 9th mile that I stopped running and started walking. And let me just tell you it took my legs a second to adjust! It was the weirdest feeling. I walked just long enough to take off one of my shirts, get a rock out of my shoe, and stretch my legs a little. Then I was off again. I ran until I hit the 11th mile. Between the 11th and 12th mile I was running up State Street in downtown SLC. I was starting to slow down, and would run a block, and then walk a block. I was getting tired! I hit mile 12, knew I only had 1.1 miles to go and used every little bit of energy I had left to run it.

I thought I was about to kill over until I turned into the Gateway mall and saw the street lined with people and I knew the finish line was just right there! I got a rush of adrenaline and picked up the speed. In the video, I realize Im not moving very fast, but at that point it sure felt like it! I was grateful to see my family there at the finish, and I was grateful just to be finished!

If you wouldve asked me if I was glad I ran the day of the race, my reaction wouldnt be the most positive. But now, I am so glad I was able to do it. I was able to prove to myself that my body is a powerful tool that God has given me, and that it is capable of way more than I give it credit for. I realized that my spirit is more determined than I thought and my possibilities are limitless. I didnt let my fear and worry stop me from finishing the race. I did it!! And it feels SO good!

Im grateful that my mom, dad, Lilly, and Kristen were there for me at the finish. They were a motivation as I ran, knowing they were there waiting. And Im really grateful Kristen came from Abilene with me. She's been my gym buddy and super motivating from the very beginning.

Im going to keep running. Some day, in the near future, I'll run a full marathon. Because I know I can!